Family Hardware Store Merchandise Goes to Auction
Merchandise for Handren's Hardware, which has appeared closed for months, is now listed on an auction site.
It appears Handren's Hardware has closed its doors after an auction listing for the company's merchandise appeared online this week.
Handren's Hardware, a family-owned and operated hardware store, quietly closed its doors at the end of January. Voicemail messages left for the owner have not been returned to date.
This week, the company's merchandise appeared in an online ad, announcing an upcoming auction.
Auctioneer Salvadore Auctions & Appraisals Inc. will sell the merchandise at a public auction to be held March 21 at 11 a.m. at the hardware store, 3001 East Main Road.
A section of the ad reads:
March 21, 2012 Inventory of NEW Hardware store supplies, power tools, paint, garden tools, hardware, household merchandise. Key Machine and Paint Matching Equipment, Gondola Shelving and much more.
Entire inventory of new merchandise of a Portsmouth RI hardware store to be sold to the highest bidder in suitable lots. Merchandise will be offered as an entirety and in suitable sub lots to the highest bidder. Online Bidding For This Auction!
An inspection of the merchandise will be held on the same day from 8 to 11 a.m. or by appointment.
The auction is by order of the court-appointed receiver of Handren’s Hardware, attorney Brian J. Lamoureux, according to the ad.
Chris Carceller
9:21 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
So sad that they weren't able to remain in business :(
Jane Wolk Wheeler
10:29 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
Yes it was so convenient to be able to run over there and pick something up and not have to drive to or deal with Home Depot.
steve pappas
10:35 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
I agree, it is very sad.....So many Portsmouth residents have spoken out against potential commercial developments (the Briggs property being the most recent). The residents "say" they want small, local businesses (no big box or large commercial retail)....Something just isn't adding up here......are people just "saying this" and going off island to the big box and large commercial retailers??...seems to me that a "local" hardware store should be able to survive in Portsmouth. I have to wonder if residents really supported this establishment........Money spent locally multiplies, changes hands locally, helps local business thrive.....PLEASE support local businesses!!
J. Lane McMahon
1:23 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
Steve,
You hit the nail on the head. Portsmouth residents preach "shop locally" but I have seen far to many "Preserve Portsmouth" bumper stickers at S&S in FR and Mid.
If their going to shop at national chains, then we ought to have one here.
Deb
10:47 am on Sunday, March 11, 2012
Yes, I tried to support them by buying a lot of lawn(hand) tools and a lawn mower from them only to have the tools break in my hands! If you are going to own/run a hardware store in this town, You better have the HARD stuff.
Robert E
11:46 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
The problem I found is that every time I needed something and went Handren's the shelves were half empty and they didn't have what I needed. I know times are tough but if you don't have the merchandise to sell people can't support the local store. I always tried them first but 9 times out of 10 I still had to go to Middletown.
East side
12:04 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
Robert E is correct. lack of inventory, lack of service, prices were to high = auction.
TAMORI
4:03 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
I too tried to get the things I needed at Handren’s. Sometimes they just didn’t carry specifically what I needed. But when they did…it was handy. And I disagree with J. Lane that just because Portsmouth resident shop at stores in other towns/cities…that does NOT mean we should have them in Portsmouth.
It’s odd that a hot rod shop (R&S Speed Shop) can survive in Portsmouth but a hardware store can’t.
Deb
10:50 am on Sunday, March 11, 2012
Good quality, and good service will always last. Just goes to show that the proof is in the pudding.
Jane
8:10 pm on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
A store can not keep shelves stocked if customers do not come in... Prices may have been higher on some items but at least you get a rep that knows the product.